Ashley School of Motoring - Tips and Techniques

The internet is great for finding out how to do things but there is, unfortunately, as much misinformation as there is good quality
advice.&nbsp&nbsp I have been asked all sorts of questions as a driving instructor over the years, everything from "How many lessons do I need?"
to "Roundabouts scare me - what can I do?".&nbsp&nbsp So I have created this page providing answers to common questions, useful tips and
techniques for dealing with all sorts of issues.&nbsp&nbsp There is a lot of information here and I hope you find it useful.&nbsp&nbsp If you
have any questions not answered below, drop me an email and I will do my best to answer it.

The DVSA have calculated that it takes an average of 52 hours driving to pass your test which equates to about 35 lessons.&nbsp&nbsp However,
that does not mean that you need to have that many driving lessons.&nbsp&nbsp Driving lessons are there to teach you the correct way to
drive, but any practice you take in between lessons is going to be hugely beneficial for you and will reduce the amount of paid lessons that
you need.&nbsp&nbsp So now is the time to call on parents, relatives, even friends to let you drive them wherever they want to go.&nbsp&nbsp
Make sure that you have the right insurance cover of course.&nbsp&nbsp Few of my pupils has ever needed more than 52 hours of tuition, a
record of which I am rightly proud.

There are really two parts to learning to drive, learning the basic skills i.e., how to control the car and then learning to anticipate and
react correctly to other road users - this is known as road craft.&nbsp&nbsp In reality you learn both these at the same time but you will
find that once the basic skills are there you can concentrate more on road craft.&nbsp&nbsp By learning the basic skills you will be able to
drive; by learning and practising road craft, you will be able to drive safely both for yourself and other road users.&nbsp&nbsp When
you pass your test, I know that you will be embarking on a safe driving career - that is what I call job satisfaction!

Apart from trying to fit in the necessary practical lessons, you also need to make sure that you book and pass your theory test as soon as
possible.&nbsp&nbsp This is because you cannot book your practical test until you have passed your theory and the waiting time for practical
tests tends to be quite long, usually around 8 weeks, although it is sometimes possible to get an earlier test if necessary.&nbsp&nbsp
Therefore passing your theory test as soon as you can is in your own interests and it also helps with your practical driving!

Oh I wish that I could!&nbsp&nbsp However, unfortunately life is never that certain and driving tends to mirror life.&nbsp&nbsp All I can do
is give you the very best tuition and make sure that you are fully prepared for your test.&nbsp&nbsp Then it is down to you!

Pass rates can be misleading unless you know how they are calculated. &nbsp&nbsp For that reason I no longer publish mine. Many
instructors cite high pass rates but as the old saying goes..."There are lies, damn lies and statistics"&nbsp&nbsp You can prove anything with
statistics.&nbsp&nbsp Furthermore, the number of hours tuition can be as important a guide as the pass rate since a high pass rate is more
achievable if you force pupils to have a hundred lessons...&nbsp&nbsp So beware of pass rates that look too good to be true...they probably
are!

I am confident that our tuition will get you to test at the right time. &nbsp&nbsp For that reason, if you fail your first test
we will halve our fee for the second test. &nbsp&nbsp In the very unlikely event that you fail your second (or subsequent) test we will waive
our fee entirely. &nbsp&nbsp Note: Fees payable to the DVSA will still be due.

It is largely up to you.&nbsp&nbsp Realistically you need to take it in the test centre that is closest to where you live.&nbsp&nbsp The
test centre I am most familiar with is the one at Gillingham although I have been known to use those at Maidstone and Sidcup.&nbsp&nbsp
Whilst I have no objections to tests in other centres, it will cost you more to attend on test day.&nbsp&nbsp Pass rates, published by the DVSA
vary slightly between test centres but my view is that it shouldn't make any difference to you as a driver.&nbsp&nbsp If you are good enough to
pass your test, you will pass wherever you take it.&nbsp&nbsp As part of your tuition I try to familiarise you with the tricky parts of your
chosen test area to ensure that you can handle anything that crops up.&nbsp&nbsp Bear in mind also that if you live far away from your chosen test
centre, you will spend a lot of lesson time driving to and from the relevant area leaving less time for practicing manoeuvres.

I am based in Rochester and prefer to teach pupils in the Medway area. This includes, but is not limited to Allhallows, Burham, Chatham,
Cliffe, Cobham, Cuxton, Gillingham, Halling, Higham, Hoo, Rochester, Rainham, Snodland, Strood, Wainscott, Walderslade, Wigmore and
Wouldham.&nbsp&nbsp Other areas may be available, so please contact me if you want to check.

Yes!&nbsp&nbsp Whether you are a complete novice or an experienced learner and are nervous about any aspect of driving I can help.&nbsp&nbsp
My pupils say that I am patient and very calming...and who am I to disagree?&nbsp&nbsp Seriously though, regardless of how nervous you may be,
I will be able to put your mind at ease.

Passplus is a joint initiative between the DVSA and insurance companies to help new drivers become better drivers. It does this by providing
additional training over and above that already completed and covers some new aspects of driving such as motorway and night
driving.&nbsp&nbsp It will take a minimum of 6 hours although it can be longer if your instructor deems it necessary.&nbsp&nbsp At the end
of the training you receive a certificate from the DVSA which may enable you to get discounted car insurance with certain insurers.

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) takes responsibility for ensuring that all driving instructors are qualified and able to teach to a
pre-determined standard.&nbsp&nbsp To be fully qualified, an approved driving instructor must pass 3 tests, a theory, a test of driving
ability and a test of instructional ability.&nbsp&nbsp The first two tests are similar to those undertaken by the pupil but obviously to a
higher standard.&nbsp&nbsp When an instructor passes the instructional ability test, they are given an initial grade, which can range from
4/4 to 6/6, 6/6 being the absolute best.&nbsp&nbsp From time to time an instructor must also take a test which re-evalutates their
ability to instruct.&nbsp&nbsp This used to be called a 'check' test and was graded as a single figure, from 4 to 6 where 6 was the
best.&nbsp&nbsp I am curently a grade 5. &nbsp&nbsp In April 2014 the DVSA changed the test, now called a 'standards check' and this one is
graded as an A or a B. &nbsp&nbsp You should make a point of asking any potential instructor what the results of their last check test were.